encumbers

verb

present tense third-person singular of encumber
1
as in impedes
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the claim that all of these regulations encumber doctors, taking time away from the actual practice of medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loads
to place a weight or burden on don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encumbers The Pentagon’s risk-averse culture, reinforced by rules established by Congress, encumbers every stage of the military development, procurement, and integration process. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Neither encumbers this production. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbers
  1. impedes
  2. loads
  3. hinders
  4. burdens
  5. hampers
  6. fills
  7. obstructs
  8. embarrasses
Verb
  • The sheriff said vehicles parked in a way that impedes traffic will be towed at the owner's expense.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of impedes
Verb
  • These improvements are intended to help military forces transport larger loads more efficiently and support operational demands across a range of environments.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • When your site loads quickly, visitors may stay longer, browse more and be more likely to convert.
    — Anthony Savino, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • Brazil’s internal fragmentation hinders international cooperation, too.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Being polished hinders the chance for an honest dialogue as the moon agitates Chiron.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hinders
Verb
  • Traffic burdens residents daily, and heavy rain keeps exposing the same stormwater weaknesses.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This adds unstated punishment, fragments medical care, limits programming, and burdens federal agencies with unnecessary logistics.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of burdens
Verb
  • This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Old furniture fills the rooms, giving the place the domestic, lived-in feel of a family home that has grown with its occupants.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Strong eerily fills the role Eisenberg started (the latter actor refused Sorkin’s offer to return).
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of fills
Verb
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
  • Anatasia steals a truck and obstructs their path, sacrificing herself to a bleak future, all in the name of love.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 10 July 2026
Definition of obstructs
Verb
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of embarrasses

Browse Nearby Words

encumbering
encumbers
encumbrance
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Cite this Entry

“Encumbers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbers. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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